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Galinhos in Rio Grande do Norte has been emerging as a new tourist destination due to its deserted beaches and the preserved landscape of the region.

Its main attraction is the Praia do Farol along with the Farol de Galinhos.

The municipality of Galinhos in Rio Grande do Norte is located on a peninsula, an arm of land that advances over the sea in an area of 342 km², with about 2300 inhabitants, surrounded by dunes, salt flats, mangroves, beaches and a river.

Located 170 kilometres from Natal, on the north coast of that northeastern state, these rustic villages have carriages and buggies as the only transport options, lagoons that turn into natural pools between mobile dunes, isolated beaches that appear and disappear in the rhythm of the tide, mountains of salt that stripe the horizon of the local salt pans and a mangrove that serves as a setting for gastronomic boat trips.

Like Areia Branca and Mossoró, in the western sector of the state, Galos and Galinhos are tourist destinations of the White Coast Pole, a route marked by typical caatinga vegetation, multicoloured dunes, cliffs, extensive deserted beaches and one of the largest salt productions in Brazil.

And as cars do not enter the village of Galos and must stay in a car park in Pratagil, where the boats that sail for 10 minutes to the region leave, the feeling is always that of disembarking somewhere where tourism has not yet arrived.

Video about Galinhos in RN – Tourism Guide

Origin of the Name of the City of Galinhos

In the past, a lot of dory was caught, but the small ones, called galinhos. Then, they discovered Galos beach, where they also fished for roosterfish from above, big roosterfish.

Then it became: ‘today we will fish for the little roosters, tomorrow for the big roosters.

Main Attractions and Activities in Galinhos, RN

They may even say that Natal, Pipa and São Miguel do Gostoso are the most popular tourist destinations in Rio Grande do Norte, but if you are looking for something different in the northeastern lands, Galinhos and the neighbouring district of Galos are your next destination.

1. Galinhos and Galos beaches

• Praia de Galinhos: An extensive and quiet beach, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the sun and sea.
• Praia de Galos: Less busy and even quieter, with calm waters and beautiful scenery.

2. Galinhos Lighthouse

The lighthouse was erected in 1931, this construction guides navigations on the coast of the region and is located in a strategic position to observe the most beautiful sunset, at Praia do Farol, in Galinhos.

Due to a small error in the calculation of its construction, the lighting was hampered by a balustrade of the balcony, and there was a need for reform and thus, the Lighthouse acquired a distinctive and unique appearance in its kind.

Besides the boat and buggy, another popular means of transport in Galinhos is the “donkey taxi”. The walk to the lighthouse, along the beach, takes just over an hour. The route is not suitable for those with back problems, as it swings a lot.

3. Mangrove Swamp

Mangue has Abundant Fauna and Flora.

The mangrove swamp, which is present on most of this coast, is the nursery of crabs, oysters that attach themselves to the roots of the mangrove forming large bunches and birds, such as white and blue herons.

Amidst the vegetation, an immense white mountain stands out in the landscape.

The salt is extracted directly from the sea water. The seawater is dumped into a giant canal and after three months, when everything evaporates, the salt is harvested.

In this state are the salt crystals, or cocada de sal, it looks like snow.

It is in this super salty water that you can find a different fish, the batfish.

It has rough skin and retains two legs in the middle of the mangrove.

The mangrove region is also rich in seahorses, of countless colours and sizes.

Heading towards the Dunes Park, visitors discover other species in need of protection: crabs lost in the dunes. “They get lost, wanting to return to the mangrove and they can’t. This is the breeding season, when the crabs are lost.

This is the reproduction period, the period when the crabs go on the move. Most of them here are females, so they are all lost in the dunes.

4. Tours in Galinhos

4.1. Diving in the natural pools

One of the tours we recommend in Galinhos is diving in the natural pools at Ponta do Farol, with warm and clear waters. To get there, you need to rent a mule, the only form of transport available.

When you arrive at Ponta do Farol, you can dive, relax and watch the wonderful sunset that this paradise presents us with.

On the way there, you can take the opportunity to visit the Crafts Cooperative, which has decorative, lace and embroidery pieces made right there by the local artisans. Along the way it is also possible to see fishermen’s houses and their respective rafts, which make the scenery even more paradisiacal.

We also recommend a horse-drawn carriage ride along the waterfront, from Galinhos to the neighbouring village of Galos.

The return of the tour can be done on the other side of the waterfront, which takes us to the lighthouse of Galinhos Beach.

4.2. Buggy ride to the dunes

Another option, for those who want something a little more comfortable, is to take this buggy ride.

Despite being more expensive, the tour has a longer route, taking us to the beautiful dunes of the region. It is also worth taking the boat trip through the sea arm, better known in the region as the river.

The tour is unforgettable and takes us to the dunes, passing through the impressive salt flats and giving tourists a break to bathe in the waters of the lagoons that form in the middle of the dunes, formed by rainwater.

4.3. Boat trip

Whether done in canoes that invade mangrove gamboas or in larger boats to visit the region of Salinas and Dunas do Capim, the boat trip in Galos is the best option to explore the region.

Whether taken in canoes that invade the mangrove gamboas or in larger boats to visit the Salinas and Dunas do Capim region, the boat trip in Galos is the best option to explore the region.

Due to high salinity levels and rough seas, the local beaches don’t always excite outsiders.

But that doesn’t matter when blue lagoons of warm water form between dunes, such as the displayed Duna do Capim, an attraction that serves for freshwater baths, during buggy rides.

4.4. On one side the river and on the other the sea

In Galos, you can go from the river to the sea with just a short walk.

The option of bathing in the calm waters near the Duna do André or bathing in the warm waters of the Galos sea are right there on the doorstep.

Galinhos and the neighbouring district of Galos lie on a narrow peninsula 500 metres wide and turns into an island when the tide comes in. And the feeling is that you will always be the only one to step foot there, whose population is 400 people in Galos and 1,200 in Galinhos.

4.5. Wind farm

The giant wind turbines of the wind farm are eye-catching.

Three years ago the wind turbines began to occupy the Dunas do Capim, in Galinhos. There are a total of 71 wind turbines distributed in two wind farms.

The wind in Galinhos is very strong, reaching 40 km/h, and is excellent for sports such as kite surfing.

Besides the boat and buggy, another popular means of transport in Galinhos is the “donkey taxi”. The ride to the lighthouse, along the beach, takes just over an hour. The route is not suitable for those with back problems, as it swings a lot.

Those who can, enjoy the landscape and delight in the sunset in the late afternoon.

When tiredness hits, the tip is to rest in one of the hammocks available on the balconies of the rooms, offered by the inns of the city.

Because of the salty water, they usually have mineral water for a more refreshing bath. Still, those who dispense with the attractions of a big city, fall in love with Galinhos.

Galinhos is marvellous, it is paradise. Tourists need to be willing to walk, to know.

How to get to Galinhos

To get to Galinhos from Natal, tourists need to take the BR-406 motorway.

It is a 2-hour drive (170 km) to the City Hall car park, where the cars are parked.

From there on, it is only possible to go by boat or 4×4 car along the beach.

To get there, you must leave your car in the car park near the village of Pratagil and take a ferry across the river to the village with its soft sandy streets.

There, a fleet of carts pulled by donkeys leads to the beach, a pier of sand that advances towards the intense blue sea and surrounded by a lighthouse and two lagoons that only appear from September to March.

Tourism and Travel Guide to Galinhos, Northeast and Bahia